Synod Assembly
Last week Sig and Toby Smitt and I attended the annual synod assembly in Las Vegas. Our synod is geographically broad, and to include all our members, we rotate our synod assemblies between the three urban areas that stretch across the breadth of our synod: Tucson, Phoenix, and Las Vegas. This year we gathered in assembly at Community Lutheran Church in Vegas.
This year’s assembly theme, “Build Up the Body,” draws from Ephesians 4:12-13, which reminds us of our calling to equip one another for ministry and grow together in Christ. All the reports and programming floated around this theme of building up the body of Christ.
David Scherer of JUSTmove was our featured guest for the assembly. With years of experience in intercultural bridge building, personal growth, and artistic expression, David led us through a cohesive, spiritually rich experience. He taught us several liturgical dance moves as he talked about the diversity of the church. David is not only a skilled facilitator but also a gifted artist, using storytelling, spoken word, and music to engage communities in authentic movement along the arc of cultural humility.
JUSTmove offers a holistic, body-centered approach to intercultural development, rooted in four key values:
- Invitational – creating growth not through guilt, but by offering a better story
- Intentional – offering strategic, evidence-based practices
- Intersectional – recognizing that liberation is collective and multidimensional
- Incarnational – honoring embodied trauma and healing through the arts
In the annual report to the assembly it was reported that this year the synod supported 8 strategic ministries and 5 synod-authorized worshiping communities, walked alongside 14 congregations in transition, celebrated 6 ordinations and 16 installations, and accompanied 19 candidates in the call process. Through 19 congregational grants and Mission & Ministry Fund support, we’re fostering innovation, renewal, and leadership development. There is a lot happening in the Grand Canyon Synod!
During the presentations and ministry acknowledgements I was recognized for my 25 years of ordained ministry. We will also celebrate this special event at Beautiful Savior on July 27th. Our DEM ( Director of Evangelical Misson) Pastor Dave Pavesic, our past Pastor, will be here to present a special blessing during our worship service. Hopefully you will be able to meet my two daughters as well as they are planning on being present for that event too!
In the ELCA, we believe leadership is a calling grounded in our baptismal identity and our shared mission. Through the work of elected leaders, we continue the Spirit-led work of discernment, accountability, and encouragement across our congregations and ministries. This year we had a few elections for key positions. One of those positions was for synod Vice President - Mark Myers was elected to serve the synod for the next 4 years. Mark is from Holy Spirit Lutheran, Las Vegas, NV. He has already served many years through past positions of leadership within all levels of the ELCA —congregational, synodical, and churchwide—and a commitment to collaboration and vitality in congregational life. We congratulate him in his new position!
On Thursday evening, our host congregation, Community Lutheran, pulled out all the stops and brought us an unforgettable concert experience—one that rivals anything we could have found on the Strip! This high-energy, professionally produced show featured incredible musicianship, stunning performances, and a powerful celebration of faith and artistry. We were blessed to see the professionalism of this congregation’s music program!
At this year’s assembly we had a special opportunity to “Build Up the Body” through service. We collected special items brought in from congregations throughout the synod and assembled over 200 “Matthew Kits”—hygiene kits for individuals experiencing homelessness or in need. These kits will go directly to Community Lutheran Church where they will be distributed.
The Grand Canyon Synod is one of 65 synods in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). The ELCA is a church of more than 3.5 million members who actively participate in God’s work in the world. We believe that we are freed in Christ to serve and love our neighbor.
There are 82 congregations in the Grand Canyon Synod and 3 Lutheran Campus Ministries. The territory of this synod is the State of Arizona; the counties of Clark, Esmeralda, Lincoln, and Nye in the State of Nevada; and New Promise Lutheran Church, in St. George, Utah.
Synod Statements
Mission: Communicate Jesus. Connect people. Create possibilities.
Vision: Communities together in Christ serving the world.
Core Values: Grounded in grace of Christ, we encourage, empower, and equip our communities to: proclaim Jesus from Lutheran teachings; nurture passionate inclusivity; live out radical hospitality; work for justice and mercy, and cultivate faith-filled relationships with all ages.